Christmas is a very special religious holiday where Christians all around the world celebrate the birth of Christ. But I’m here to tell you, Christmas is so much bigger than that.
I grew up Catholic, so I once devoted myself to Christ and fully experienced the mystery and magic of Advent. It was lovely to grow up in that environment.
Though I don’t participate in Catholic or Christian beliefs these days, I very much appreciate the steadfast traditions and spirit of the holiday season.
Let’s think on this together. Please keep an open mind as you read through this article. (Then, you can unleash the fury on me in the comments section.)
Christmas isn’t just for Christians
The fact that Christmas is a very sacred religious holiday to celebrate the birth of Christ is irrefutable.
However, not everyone believes that Christ is the Lord.
So, why do a bunch of heathens still celebrate Christmas every year?
Well there’s Santie Claus and his cute lil’ elves. There’s the fir trees and gifts and cookies and parties.
But why do we have all these non-Christian traditions at Christmas time?
It’s the most wonderful time of the year
Unless you’re a real scrooge, the holiday season is a joyful time to eat and play with loved ones.
Not everyone is down with details, but that sense of camaraderie and family is definitely present.
It is universally accepted around the globe where Christmas is celebrated that the holiday season is a time to share love and joy with others.
How beautiful is that?!
Christians and non-Christians alike, prioritizing love and goodness each and every single year for their entire lives.
It touches my soul to think that even for just one day people around the world are unified through love. It’s so powerful.
What’s in a name?
It is taught in Christianity that Christ is love. There is no separation between the two.
Therefore, if people who don’t believe in Christ as the Lord devote their lives to love, aren’t we all doing the same thing?
I know this is where heated controversy lies, but can’t we, just for a couple days out of the year, recognize that we’re all after the same thing? Mainly love?
If we can agree on this, why then is it so offensive when someone wishes a “Happy Holiday” instead of a “Merry Christmas”? Don’t they mean the same thing?
There’s been a lot of commotion this season on social media about how wrong it is to wish someone a “Happy Holiday” instead of “Merry Christmas.” I’ve even seen graffiti on holiday posters and signs expressing angst toward this issue.
Such behavior is absurd and opposite of the Christmas spirit. (And you know my favorite saying: it creates an unnecessary barrier among people.)
Since Christmas is a celebration of the birth of Christ, and Christ is love, isn’t Christmas a celebration of unconditional, universal love?
Joy to the world
This Christmas, let’s not get our stockings in a bunch over semantics. We’re all celebrating the same thing – love.
I personally wish you and your loved ones a very joyful holiday season. I’ll also throw in some joy for those who are very difficult to love and those you feel don’t deserve love. (Tell me I’m not Christian.)
I am so grateful to all the readers and supporters of The Be Well Place. Because of your support, we’re able to help uplift people’s spirits a tad bit every week. This has really been a team effort and I look forward to what lies ahead for us.
Be with your family and friends fully the next few days. Share joy and laughter and food and drink. Celebrate the birth of Christ and the Christmas spirit, no matter your beliefs.
And most of all, let love be in your heart.
Merry Christmas.
I find that the people who are sooo terribly offended by the “Happy Holidays” greeting, or calling a holiday gathering a “holiday party” tend to be people who just enjoy being offended. They like the drama of it, (see the previous Be Well Place post on dealing with unreasonable people) and do not accept logical arguments for the use of the more inclusive and general “holiday” rather than the more specific and exclusive “Christmas.” This issue has been a source of frustration for me for a long time, and I was happy to see this post give a very simple, logical solution: it is all the same, so let it go!
Hi Annie! You make such a great point – some people “just enjoy being offended.” It’s so unnerving to observe this, but of course we must learn to let go of our need to control everyone and everything, just as the drama queens and kings must learn to let go of their egos. So hard to do! Thanks for your comment. I smell a follow-up headline brewing :)